As Eid-ul-Fitr is going to be observed tomorrow or the day after tomorrow depending on the sighting of the moon, there will be just another working day and employees or workers need to be paid in between this little time.
In view of the Eid-rash, there was an immense throng in the banks yesterday and it’s likely to swell today.
Bank officials are struggling to provide services to their clients under the pressure of withdrawing money.
The branches of banks in different areas of the capital, including Motijheel, Dilkusha, Dainik Bangla, Gulshan, Tejgaon and Paltan, had long lines at the cash and deposit counters since morning yesterday. In addition, there were lines for submitting bills for various services including invoices, deposits and savings memos. Meanwhile, under the pressure of added clients, the officials of the cash counter of the bank have become quite restless.
Mohammad Moiniruzzaman, Deputy General Manager of Motijheel Sonali Bank's local office, said, “There is always a crowd of customers in the last two working days before Eid. For this we have already arranged additional cash counters and we are providing services to numerous clients though different counters. Yet, the employees are struggling to cope with the pressure.”
Meanwhile, like every year, new money notes are seen in the bank areas of the capital ahead of Eid. Yesterday, in front of Bangladesh Bank and in different areas of Gulistan, it was seen that the sellers were sitting with rows and bundles of new bank notes.
Many are rushing to Gulistan or Motijheel to collect new notes to distribute as Eid greetings. Customers can get a bundle of
brand new notes giving old and torn ones. The sellers said that this time the price of the note has gone up from Tk 100 to 200 per bundle.
At the same time, buyers complain about the price, saying that the price has now gone three times higher than the usual. The sellers responded in return that they are asking a little more than previous years as the misery due Coronavirus pandemic has made them suffer as well. They have been out of business for a while, now that little opportunity has come to make some profit.
Meanwhile the Cabinet Division has issued a notification extending the ongoing restrictions from May 6 to midnight on May 16 to curb the spread of Coronavirus. At this time the bank will also be open to a limited extent from 10 am to 2 pm every day except weekly holidays.
Today (Wednesday) is the last working day before Eid. However, if Eid is on Friday, the bank will be open on May 13 (Thursday) in the industrial areas.